COUPON INSIDE / TWO-FOR-ONE OFFER TO SEE SYDNEY LONG AT THE NGA
SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

Election 2012:

How preferences
will decide poll

Simple

MICHAEL MOORE

It’s time we had
better teachers
ROBERT MACKLIN

pleasures

Hard lesson of
losing gracefully

SONYA FLADUN

ANNABEL LANGBEIN,
the free-range cook,
is coming to Canberra

The Royal
treatment

WENDY JOHNSON

Think again, footy
fans of little faith

TIM GAVEL

Open 7 days | Free parking

MaCQUarie
CityNews September 20-27 1

2 CityNews September 20-27

news

How Inspector Dale copped the Salvos
CAPT. Dale Murray’s office is fairly
customary: there’s the usual family
photos, stationery and paperwork.
The only indication of the force he
once served for more than half his
life is placed in a small box, which he
opens at the start of the interview: a
collection of police service medals,
neatly polished and gleaming.
“I often wonder where I would be
if I had stayed with the police,” he
muses.
But it was a “calling from God”
that led Dale to leave the Queensland police service in 2004, where he
had served for 22 years since joining
as a teenager straight out of high
school.
Dale, who had just been promoted
to the rank of inspector before he
left the police service, still calls the
change “the toughest decision” of
his life, but doesn’t regret it.
“I wanted to help people; I felt this
was the way I was led to go,” he says.
“I can’t explain it, and not many
people understand, but I know this
was what I was meant to do.”
Dale began working with people
from difficult and violent backgrounds in his new role, some of
whom were criminals – the sort of
people he was once placing handcuffs on.
“One minute I was arresting

After 22 years in the police force, Dale Murray made
the decision to switch to a career in the Salvos.
Suddenly he’s helping some of the people he once
was arresting. LAURA EDWARDS reports.
people, the next I was helping and
supporting them in another way,”
he says.
“It took me about six years to
transition into the new role. It’s a
completely different mind frame.”
Dale started as a church leader
for the Salvation Army in Mt Isa
and Townsville before moving to
Canberra in 2010 to work as the NSW
and ACT Appeals Director, responsible for running events such as the
Red Shield Appeal.
In his role with the “Salvos”, Dale
travelled to NZ three times, offering
help after the Christchurch earthquakes.
“After the second earthquake, I
was there within a week and supported families with members who
had died in the quake,” he says.
“When we were over there we
were also helping police officers
emotionally; officers were allocated
10 victims, and their families to
speak to – that’s a lot of trauma, so it
was good to be able to help them and
work together.”
Dale’s past experience as a police

officer left him with essential skills
for the Salvation Army, such as remaining “emotionally strong” when
tragedy strikes.
“My past career has helped to
deal with grief and trauma, as I
have seen a lot of terrible things in
my life, I’ve seen a lot of death and
destruction, I’ve seen a lot of hurt
people, and even today when I see
situations as a Salvation Army officer I’m impacted; but I can deal
with it, I’ve got strategies in place to
help me emotionally, spiritually and
physically which is very important,”
he says.
“The most rewarding thing about
this role is seeing people’s lives
changed, transformed. They come to
you in despair and to help them get
back on their feet, that’s one of the
most rewarding things.”
Dale is happy to stay in Canberra,
where he lives in Hughes with his
wife and their three children.
“Canberra is a beautiful place, I
love the community I deal with and
I will stay here for as long as the Capt. Dale Murray with his police medals... “One minute I was arresting people, the next I
Photo by Silas Brown
Salvation Army needs me,” he says. was helping and supporting them in another way.”

“The homeless person when
I was a kid was typically what
you’d call a ‘wino’, a man in his
60s riddled with grog, and essentially broken down physically,” he said.
“Nowadays a lot of homeless people are young. A lot of
them are women. Many are in
their 20s. I think Vinnies have
really helped people be aware
of that.”
Turnbull was one of many

4 CityNews September 20-27

senior business and political
identities who took part nationally in the Vinnies annual
CEO sleepout in June. The Rotary Club of Canberra South
contributed $10,000 to Vinnies
via a donation to the club from
Steve Thompson, of SAP Australia.
Mr Turnbull met with members of Rotary Canberra South
at Parliament House and
thanked them for supporting
the cause.
“The measure of our humanity is how we treat the
neediest among us,” he said.
“That is why it is so important to recognise the generosity of individuals such as Steve
and the tireless work of charities such as Rotary.”

election 2012 / comment

Preferences the key to poll
POLITICAL parties hate strategic voters. However, the Hare-Clark system is
designed specifically to empower voters
so that they are not tied into a partycontrolled system.
Strategic voters simply list in order the
candidates they believe will best represent
their interests, ignoring the columns and
working across the ballot paper from
whatever the party or from the independent columns.
Preferences really are the key to ACT
elections. Only three MLAs were elected
on primary votes at the last election in
2008 without the need to rely on going to
preferences. They were the two party leaders, Jon Stanhope and Zed Seselja and then
Deputy Leader, Katy Gallagher. However,
their “surplus votes” were distributed according to voter preferences.
The parties want you to keep your preferences within the party ticket. The party
scrutineers have a range of pejorative
words for the votes that do not follow the
party line such as “leakage”, “deserters”,
“seepage”. However, voters have the power
to make their own decisions about who
are the best candidates to represent their
interests in the ACT Assembly.
The key to effective voting is often the
second, third or later choice of the voter –
it has a serious impact. What the parties
know is that the way voters distribute
their personal preferences has huge influence on who gets elected. Voters need to
understand the same and distribute their
votes accordingly.
The ACT Election has officially com-

6 CityNews September 20-27

Preferences are the key to ACT elections. Only three MLAs were
elected on primary votes at the last election without having to rely on
preferences, writes MICHAEL MOORE
menced and the Government is in caretaker mode. Candidates will have to have
nominations in at noon on Wednesday,
September 26. So it is time to begin thinking about the most effective way to make
votes count at the election on Saturday,
October 20.
Strategic voters understand the framework of the three incumbent parties. The
party policies and approach provide the
context of how they are likely to behave.
They have a track record and have welldeveloped and agreed policy positions to
take into the Assembly. Newer parties and
independents are developing their policies
and trying to get them into the public arena. Some start with a single interest and
then expand beyond their initial purpose –
as the Greens did 20 years ago. A strategic,
committed party voter will not just look at
the party purpose and platform, but will
make an assessment of the individuals
within the party.
The Motorist Party, unsurprisingly,
has policies on public transport, roads, cyclists and recreational motoring and motorcycles. However, it also has a law-andorder policy and supports small business,
but does not have a published position on
health and education, for example. One of
its candidates, Chic Henry, has already
made a major contribution to Canberra
over many years through Summernats

and might appeal as a first, second or third
preference to many.
The Bullet Train for Canberra Party
and the Marion Lê Social Justice Party
have recently gathered the support of at
least 100 people each to be able to register
as parties. However, although it is clear
that the Bullet Train for Canberra will
have a specific focus, it is not that easy to
understand how it will behave on a wide
range of other issues in the Assembly.
It is a different story for Marion Lê.
She is well known for her advocacy work
for refugees for more than a quarter of a
century. She ran with the Residents Rally
in the first ACT election in 1989, the Canberra Unity Party in the second election in
1992, and has now decided to form her own
party based on principles of social justice.
The principles are important. However,
Marion Le is going to have to clarify her
party position on where she stands on a
range of issues before strategic voters will
give her their first preference.
The Community Alliance Party sets out
five pillars for direct community participation including direct, collective decision
making, open politics, citizens’ councils,
petitions and an integrity commission.
Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to
2001) and was minister for health.

Candidate profiles, Page 8

CityNews September 20-27 7

election 2012 / the candidates

Game on: time for the hopeful to nominate
THE official ACT election period has begun
and intending candidates must complete
the nomination process before noon on
Wednesday, September 26 to be eligible to
stand in the October 20 poll.
Each candidate of a registered political party
and each independent candidate must complete
a nomination form and provide a $250 deposit to
stand for election.
Independent candidates and candidates from
non-registered parties must be nominated by 20
electors eligible to vote for the electorate they
are contesting.
“Nominations will be declared on September
27”, says ACT Electoral Commissioner Phillip
Green. “A random draw will be conducted for
each electorate to determine the ballot paper
positions for each registered party. A second
draw will determine the Robson rotation starting point for candidates within each of the party
columns and the ungrouped candidates.”
Nine political parties are registered to contest
the 2012 election. In 2008 eight political parties
contested the election.
“CityNews” continues its look at candidates
who respond to our invitation to tell us why they
deserve your vote.

GINNINDERRA
Why politics?
My main policy interests are better public transport, drug law
reform,
sustainable
population, civil liberties, and policies that
give ordinary Canberrans a “fair go”.
I
was
endorsed
earlier this year by
an Australian Democrats members’ ballot.
However, on the ballot
paper I will appear in
the ungrouped column
as an independent.
Why should we
vote for you?
The Democrats have 31 years of parliamentary experience to draw on. We are the natural
party of the crossbenches, the negotiators. I am
contesting the election to make sure whoever
forms government is accountable; to make sure
the promised needle and syringe program for
the Alexander Maconochie Centre goes ahead; to

Darren Churchill,
Australian Democrats
(ACT Division)

8 CityNews September 20-27

fight for a stable population size that gives us a
sustainable and liveable Canberra; and to work
for electoral reform to enable a greater of variety
of views to be represented in ACT elections.
Why politics?
S u p p o r t i n g ,
working
with
and
advocating for the
unemployed, homeless
people, children and
young people led me to
campaigning on issues
and lobbying members
of the Assembly.
As an elected representative for the past
four years, I have been
able to create positive
change in people’s
lives and this is what I
am committed to continue doing.
Why should we vote for you?
Because the Greens get things done. We have a
track record of making our ideas become reality,
whether it’s a new rapid bus service or improved
mental health funding or tackling problem
gambling. We’ve also been leading the way on
improving the safety of our children and better
supporting children in and transitioning out of
the care and protection system. Many Canberrans vote Green because they know the Legislative Assembly is better with Greens in it.

Meredith Hunter,
Greens

Matt Thompson,
Liberal Democrats

Why politics?
I am a veterinarian with international
experience and most
recently a public servant. I have left the public service to fulfil a
passion for serving the
electorate. I am proud
to be representing the
Liberal
Democratic
Party as the party is a
best fit for my personal
philosophy of building
the voice of the individual in order they
may be heard, and of
individual responsibility.
Why should we

vote for you?
My party, the LDP, offers a constructive alternative with a significant point of difference from
the usual players – thus expanding the choices
for voters, and contributing to democracy.

MOLONGLO

Shane Rattenbury,
Greens

Why politics?
I grew up in Canberra, and I’ve always
loved the open spaces
and natural environment as well as the safe
and caring community
here. This is what I
want to preserve and
improve and our local
Assembly is where I
felt I could make a contribution.
Why should we
vote for you?
We’ve made a great
start in turning things around to make sure that
Canberra has a more sustainable and fairer future.
I would like to be re-elected to continue making
our city one that is better connected, especially by
getting started on building a light rail network. I
also want our city to be a place where our natural
environment is protected for all of us to enjoy,
where kids can swim in our lakes, and our nature
reserves and parks are well maintained.

Why politics?
My mum, who migrated from Italy, was
a very driven person
and instilled a strong
work ethic in me. It is
this work ethic which
has driven me to give
Canberrans a better
government
–
one
which
listens
and
advocates on their
behalf.
Why should we
vote for you?
As a local Canberra
mum, people should
vote for me because I won’t triple their rates. I
think local government should spend taxpayers’ money as wisely as you and I spend our
family budgets. ACT Labor and the Greens plan
to triple household rates in coming years and I
won’t let that happen. Instead, we will manage
taxpayers’ money properly to provide better local services and lower rates and charges for all
our families.

BRINDABELLA

Why politics?
I’m
in
politics
because I care passionately
about
making
Canberra
(and the world) a
more sustainable and
fairer place to live for
everyone. I stood for
the Greens last election, never thinking
I would be elected,
but to advance these
principles and the
Greens’ ideas. Since
being elected, I have
been privileged to be able to turn many of these
ideas into realities and to work with the people of
Canberra for a better future.
Why should we vote for you?
You should vote for me, and the rest of the
Green team, because we have made a real difference. We’ve delivered things such as more cycle
paths and footpaths, solar hot water for new
houses and more funding for health. We’ve stood
up for residents’ right to have a say about development in their neighbourhood. The Greens
have stood up for small businesses and improved
government policies to help create green jobs for
a more prosperous future economy.

Why politics?
I saw it as a way I
could contribute to
the community, and
advocate for and make
changes in the areas I
am passionate about. I
believe it is important to
have the Greens in parliament so that issues
around social justice
and sustainability are
considered in the policies and legislation that
is developed, so that
we can have a positive
future for everyone.
Why should we vote for you?
I am passionate about mental health and the
Greens have been able to have millions of dollars
more in funding dedicated to this area. Through
making something like mental health a priority,
we are raising an issue that is stigmatised and
misunderstood which helps people in the community with a mental illness and their carers to
be recognised and acknowledged. Disability is an
area I would like to do more in if re-elected, so
that everyone in Canberra has the opportunity
to be connected to their community and contribute to their potential.

Giulia Jones, Canberra
Liberals

Caroline Le Couteur,
Greens

Amanda Bresnan,
Greens

news

briefly

Kitchen spill spins kids’ book

Hospital help

Kitchen champs

SOUTHERN Cross 10 has
donated the $81,000 raised
locally from its network’s
recent “Give Me 5 for Kids”
fundraiser to Canberra
Hospital. Chief Minister and
Minister for Health Katy Gallagher accepted the cheque
saying: “The first stage of our
new Centenary Hospital for
Women and Children officially
opened on August 4, and
this donation will contribute
greatly to the purchase of
items to enhance patient and
family-centred care.”

FOR the second consecutive year,
Merici College has won the Teen
Chefs competition. Merici’s team
of four Year 11 students, Shae
Walsh, Georgia Allen, Stephanie
Markee and Rachel Donohoe,
triumphed over Stromlo High
School and Daramalan College
in cooking a three-course menu,
plus an additional dish thrown in
by chef Tom Moore for the final
cook-off.

IT seemed fairly trivial at
Laura Edwards
the time; but an accident in
reports
the kitchen formed the idea
behind Sandra Bennett’s new young adult category.
A primary school teacher for
children’s book.
25 years, Sandra had always

“We had an accident with a
gingerbread maker one day, and
I realised I could make a story
out of it – about what else could
go wrong in the kitchen,” she
says.
Sandra, who lives in Royalla,
believes that “from ordinary
everyday situations, extraordinary stories that are fun and
entertaining can evolve.”
Her first published children’s
book, “Gingerbread Aliens”, follows three cheeky brothers who
encounter mystery when their
school closes down after “havoc
in the kitchen”.
She describes the book as “science fiction with a big dose of
humour”.
“It’s a lot of fun, and I think
it’s something parents will really enjoy reading to their kids,”
she says.
The book includes illustrations by Hayley Welsh, and for
three weeks has remained top
of Canberra’s Paperchain bestseller list for the children and

loved reading but wanted to
share her passion of writing
with children in the classroom.
“I decided my future lay in
sharing that passion with others
through teaching and bringing
the joy of words to children in
the classroom,” she says.
With three sons of her own,
Sandra believes kids can “get
lost” in computer games from an
early age, and that it’s important
to “bring them back to basics”.
“I think there’s far too many
other distractions these days,
and to bring kids back to books
is what I want to be able to do,”
she says.
“If they’re going to do anything in the world, they need to Author Sandra Bennett... “From ordinary everyday situations,
read first. I think a lot of books extraordinary stories that are fun and entertaining can evolve.”
have a lesson all the time, it puts
Photo by Silas Brown
them off and it’s not as fun. My
major point is for them to have ACT in 2009, Sandra has been a book reading in Manuka I
fun and enjoy it. I’m not really working for her husband and couldn’t believe how many peoworried about kids learning a wants to continue writing, with ple turned up,” she says.
lesson, I’m just trying to get plans to make “Gingerbread
“I just love seeing a child’s
them to read.”
Aliens” into a three-part series. face light up when you read to
Since she left teaching in the
“It’s been so popular – at them.”

School fair
YARRALUMLA Montessori School, located on the
grounds of the Yarralumla
Public School, will celebrate
its 30th Anniversary Spring
Fair, 10am-2pm, on Sunday,
November 11. There will
be a barbecue, coffee cart,
hand-made arts and crafts for
sale, a cake stall, a plant stall,
silent auction and children’s
activities and games. Everyone is invited to create a small
drawing on a square of fabric
that will be made into the
30th anniversary patchwork
quilt to commemorate the
history and community
around the school.

Jewellery galore
WORK by some of the region’s
best jewellery designers and
artists will be showcased at the
Old Bus Depot Markets’ annual
“Jewel of Canberra” theme day
on Sunday, November 11. “Each
of our designers will be offering
one-of-a-kind pieces, perfect for
those who prefer to stand out
from the crowd,” said Old Bus
Depot Markets’ director, Morna
Whiting. “It’s the variety and
choice of handcrafted pieces that
make this day so popular.”

CityNews September 20-27 9

opinion

letters

Power to crusade for top teachers

Greens stand

Robert Macklin
the gadfly

THE best thing about Julia
Gillard’s education “crusade” is
her determination to raise the
standard and status of teachers.
And lest I be accused of special
pleading, let me confess immediately that I am married to one of
Canberra’s most beloved teachers.
Wendy has devoted a lifetime to
the joyous musical and general education of young Territorians. And
even now, when she might be putting her feet up, painting or composing her children’s songs (she
has created the anthems for half a
dozen of our primary schools), she
returns as a relief teacher one or
two days a week.
But while she enjoys the challenge, she has been witness to the
progressive fall in the place teachers occupy in our community. And,
sadly, it has occurred in line with
the feminisation of the profession,
particularly in primary school.
Teaching has become the secondary job within a partnership
and, while women are wonderful
teachers, they are the first to say
that there’s a desperate need for

10 CityNews September 20-27

dose of dorin
more men on staff, especially with
the marked increase in single
parent and blended families. Boys
from such families can be greatly
assisted by the male mentor and
role model. But if you want more
men you have to increase the pay
and the status of the job.
Moreover, classroom teachers
are called upon to accept everincreasing responsibilities for the
social development of the pupil
in addition to formal instruction.
This involves additional training
and skills development of a high
order which should add not just to

greater job satisfaction, but more
take home pay as well.
Raising the standards of individual teachers would also improve
the quality of their representatives.
I have had personal dealings with
teachers’ union leaders at the
national level and they are, sadly,
second rate. Most would be more
appropriate running the Builders
Labourers’ Federation.
Teaching, like journalism, occupies that equivocal position between trade and profession, but the
best practitioners see it as a vocation, and that is not reflected in the

snarling outbursts of the teachers’
union leadership. Better teachers
will elect better leaders.
We have three parallel systems
in Australia. The expensive independent schools somehow manage
to eliminate the hard cases: the
class disrupters and the seriously
disadvantaged. The Catholic and
Evangelical group undermine the
quest for true understanding with
their religious instruction. The
public school teachers have to deal
with the full spectrum, from the
brightest to the most needy, and
with many parents who have abandoned their own responsibilities.
I strongly suspect that if the Gillard crusade succeeds, the best and
the brightest teachers will increasingly avoid the soft option and the
religious institutions, and make
their way into the public system.
And as they bring new status and
esteem to the public schools, parents (and pupils) will reverse the
trend and follow.
Julia Gillard, I suggest, is very
well aware of this most important
effect of her crusade. If so, she is
showing a rare and delightfully
subtle approach to policy making.
More power to her.
robert@robertmacklin.com

SORRY, Patricia Saunders (letters, CN September 13),
when you study politics as a major, then work with
numbers of Federal Ministers and their staff over many
years and then become president of an ACT community
political party, you learn to read between the lines.
Many of the Greens’ policies at Federal and State
level are pipe dreams with little economic credibility.
Their idealistic proposals are usually based on the
fact that they do not have to concern themselves with
stumping up the money to pay the costings attributed
to them.
And when we have Greens MLAs in the Assembly,
including the Speaker, either not immediately criticising
illegal actions (and then being forced by public opinion
to do so) or giving tacit approval to those actions as was
the case of the attack on CSIRO facilities, it doesn’t take
an intelligent person too much time to figure out where
the Greens actually stand.
Ric Hingee, Duffy

Questioning Moore
I QUESTION the reality of Michael Moore’s statement
(CN, September 13): “The vast majority of heterosexual
couples are not particularly concerned about the issue
of gay marriage.”
On what basis does he claim this statement to be
fact? What research did he conduct to arrive at this
conclusion? The opinion of individual Australians on the
gay marriage issue will be known if the issue is put to a
vote. We have a Federal election coming up in 2013.
Lois Owers via email
Letters are invited from “CityNews” readers. Let loose
to editor@citynews.com.au or write to the editor at GPO
Box 2448, Canberra 2601. Letters of 200 words or less
stand a better chance of publication.

CityNews September 20-27 11

Sporting Confidential
with Tim Gavel
Fans of little faith, think again
WHEN things weren’t going well midway through
this NRL season and the Raiders were close to the
bottom of the ladder, some supporters took their
frustrations out on the coach, the players and
anybody who dared to suggest that we should have
faith in the club.
As the losses mounted the vitriol became more
and more personal, much of it was directed at
the coach, David Furner. Some questioned his
credentials, others his ability to get the best out of
his players. There were also questions about the
family nature of the Raiders’ hierarchy and whether
it was transparent.
The players were heckled as they left the field
during losses to the Wests-Tigers and the Gold
Coast. It was getting ugly.
I was getting inundated with emails from
disgruntled supporters calling for the club to sack
Furner and replace him with Ricky Stuart. There was
next to no chance of that happening, but through
social media, rumours took on a life of their own.
There was little analysis of why the team wasn’t
performing; there was little acceptance that injuries
were a key factor with nine players on the sidelines
during the dark days. Take playmakers out of any
side in the competition and it will struggle.
It happened at the Brumbies with the loss of their
two first-string fly halves. That’s what happened at
the Raiders with Terry Campese’s injury.
History will show the Raiders turned their season
around big time once they were able to put the
same team on the field week after week. The hope
is that those supporters who turned on the coach
and the team won’t be so quick next time.

12 CityNews September 20-27

Brave Hart
YOUNG Canberra motor racer Mathew
Hart has been invited to the US to trial
in the starter class for the Indy Cars.
Admittedly, it’s a long way from this
category to the Indy Cars. Mathew
says he is willing to give it a go. He is
currently second in the Formula Fords
in Australia and is keen to take the next
step, whatever that may be.
He could end up in the V8s, Formula Mathew Hart
One, Indy Cars, who knows; it won’t be
for lack of trying nor support from his family and the likes of
local businessman Pat Seers.

Rower to sailor
SARAH Cook has been involved in rowing for most of her pre-adult and adult
life, so it comes as no surprise that she
has been tempted to try another sport.
After two Olympics as a rower, Sarah
is trying her hand at sailing for Rio in
four years’ time. By her own admission,
she is a novice in the sport, but she is
ready for the challenge. Her attributes
include the fitness and strength of an
Sarah Cook
elite athlete, a competitive spirit that
comes with being an Olympic rower, and a strong will to
succeed.
Good luck to her; it’s a gamble. If she can pull it off it will
go down as one of the more remarkable changeovers in
Australian sport.

CityNews September 20-27 13

mum in the city
Hard lesson of
losing gracefully
Sonya Fladun
mum in the city

IT was a lot of fun while it lasted, those
days and nights curled up on the couch
with the kids wide-eyed watching the
gymnastics, athletics and equestrian
events at the Olympics.
But I did breathe a sigh of relief when the
closing ceremonies for the Olympics and Paralympics arrived and the endless questions
– such as why are the rings different colours?
What is doping? How heavy is a discus? Can
you buy gold medals on EBay? – gradually
faded away.
But my kiddies are still in the grips of the
Olympics, dreaming of one day donning the
green and gold and winning medals of Australia for something, anything.
Sporting activities in our household have
taken on a much more serious dimension.
Where once “just having fun” was good
enough; now being the best is becoming an
issue. Words such as “failure” and “loser”
have crept into the games they play, as has the
sudden appearance of tears when they don’t
come first.
I always figured learning to lose is part
of life and the art of losing gracefully is an
important social skill. You can usually pick
those adults who never acquired the knack.
They are the ones pacing around the sports
field yelling instructions to their kids, or berating umpires or coaches, or their own poor
hapless child who doesn’t win.
But the truth is (and I am totally at fault
here) many modern parents often tell their
kids they are the best and can do anything
they want to. We do it because we love them
and want to instil that all important sense of
self-worth and confidence that many of us who
had a parent with a more boots-and-braces
approach to parenting may not have received.
But sometimes we can go a bit far and forget
that the acceptance of limitations, and the
acknowledgment that others may be better at
something, is a crucial social skill.
Ultimately, the most important thing sport
can teach kids is to be a better person. Not just
through winning, but also through showing
commitment, building resilience and being
brave enough to just give something a bit of a
go. And like all things, as parents, how we react, and what we model is what will ultimately
determine not only how well our children win,
but also how well they cope with the occasional inevitability of being on the losing side.

14 CityNews September 20-27

A section from “Ned Kelly”, 1946, by Sidney
Nolan.

Ned heads
for ‘home’
THE National Gallery of Australia has
announced that a curated exhibition of
Sidney Nolan’s celebrated “Ned Kelly”
series of paintings will travel to Ireland.
Australia’s most famous bushranger
wasn’t born in Ireland, but his ancestors
were, and he was often enough made to feel
as if he belonged there.
Readers may recall the National Museum
of Australia’s huge exhibition last year,
“Not Just Ned: A true history of the Irish
in Australia”. Then there was the Canberra
Friends of Ireland Society concert at the gallery’s James O Fairfax Theatre, called “Not
only Nolan”, where Irish pianist Elaine Loebenstein improvised music to a screening of
the Nolan images.
Irish Ambassador, Noel White, was busy
congratulating himself and the NGA director, Ron Radford, at the announcement of
this cultural coup, but some present were
wondering why on earth the former NGA
director Brian Kennedy, an Irishman, didn’t
think of it when he was here.
The answer is, he probably did.
After showing in Dublin, the Kelly series
will travel on to the US, where one of its stops
will be the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio –
Dr Kennedy is the director there.

Del Rey clutch
in milk, $199,
from Saba.
Amelia bag in red, $249, from
David Lawrence.

All bags bright
and beautiful
SPRING’S handbags make a statement with pretty pastels and
bold brights to take us away from last season’s neutral palette.
With colours such as seafoam, powder blue and pink in classic
shapes, these bags are vibrant but elegant. Fashion editor LIBBY HILL spent
a day at the Canberra Centre searching for some of the best...
Del Rey mini
day bag in
ultramarine,
$249, from Saba.

Molten hobo
in courtesan
pink, $499,
from Mimco.

Patent turnlock
zip top in black,
$499, from
Mimco.

Soph handbag in powder blue,
$249, from David Lawrence.

CityNews September 20-27 21

Canberra Confidential
Smacker for Ros
SERVICE with a... who’s that Press Club
waiter about to plant a smacker on the
unsuspecting cheek of the Opposition

Leader’s wife, Ros Seselja? As in life, it’s all
a matter of timing and perspective. Snapper
Silas Brown took these shots at the Great
Election Debate at Gandel Hall when Zed

was zeroing in on Mrs S for a supportive
peck after his performance against Labor’s
Katy Gallagher. He got there.

Know something? / confidential@citynews.com.au

is urging women with too many handbags
and baubles (“CC” hasn’t met one yet) to
drop their excesses off at the centre (8
Piguenit Close, North Lyneham) in support
of its annual Bags ‘n’ Bling fundraiser, from
5pm, on Wednesday, September 26.
With legal precision, they urge: “Come
along on the night for a glass of bubbly
and to bag your own bargain (cheap cheap
cheap) – one woman’s trash is another
woman’s treasure!”
More information at 6257 4377 or email
coordinator@womenslegalact.org

Snappers united

Funny Barr none

Naughty Genevieve

DEPUTY Chief Minister Andrew Barr finally
noticed the Centenary in the room and
gently took a dig at creative director Robyn
Archer’s never ending story at her VIP
launch of the Centenary program earlier this
month.
During his speech at the beautifullyscheduled Floriade opening, Barr recalled
the mammoth presentation (which oscillated
between passion, tedium, singing and
ukulele playing), quipping: “For those of
you who had experience of Robyn Archer’s
two-hour launch of the Centenary program,
possibly felt as I did, exhausted, and that
we’d already lived through the Centenary.”

AND while we’re
on the subject of
speeches at the
Floriade launch, MC
and ABC 666 presenter Genevieve
Jacobs roused some
giggles with a bit
of naughty talk.
Jacobs, who wore
a low-cut Leona
Edmiston frock,
likened gardening
to sex saying the two pleasures are addictive.
Right. There was a blush-making line about a
zucchini, too...

Rocket man
CELEBRITY gardener and
former stripper Jamie
Durie stole the show
at the Floriade launch.
The pocket rocket was in
good humour assuring
everybody, when he
first went on stage,
that he was in fact
standing up and, yep,
he’s much shorter in
real life. Durie went on to mention his former
work as a Manpower stripper, saying he had
no problems going “from hot pants to pot
plants”.

22 CityNews September 20-27

Do-or-die for Daz
We shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills; we shall never
surrender...
That’s Winston Churchill, but it might
as well be his local namesake, Darren
Churchill, the perennial candidate for public
office. Having snared a less than dazzling
192 first-preference votes in Ginninderra
at the 2008 poll, Daz just hasn’t heard the
voice of the people. He’s back into the fray,
hoping to top his PB 0.3 per cent following
for the Australian Democrats in the northern
electorate. Darren doubles as ACT party
president and tirelessly stands for parlia-

WHAT would you call a group of photographers? “CC” doesn’t know either, so we
googled a group of snappers. No good. Next
logical projection: snappers to crocodiles.
Bingo! En masse, the Oxford Dictionary tells
us they’re called a “bask”.
So, from 3pm on Sunday, September 30
a “bask of snappers” will be wandering the
bushes of the Botanic Gardens in the spring
Photowalk, organised by local commercial
ment, any parliament, having also had a
photographer Hilary Wardhaugh, who
crack at the Federal seat of Fraser in 2007 and says it’s a chance for any person, irrespective
chased a Senate spot in 2010.
of age or ability, to get together and have
“a lovely walk, get some fresh air and meet
other photographically minded people”.
“CityNews” snapper-to-the-stars Silas
REGULAR readers of “CC” will recall the
Brown also plans to be there, like he needs
column’s pout about fluoro stickers on the
the practice.
$12-a-day parking machines announcing
“It is meant to be all inclusive whether you
specifically that the price of all-day parking
own a DSLR, a compact or just a phone-cam,”
would increase by $1.50 a day from Septemsays Hilary.
ber 3. Mysteriously, the stickers disappeared
“If we get enough photowalkers they’ll
and the machines remained fully sated at $12. keep the cafe open for coffee until 5pm,
“CC” wondered why: Political nervousness
so it’d be great to know if you are going to
about the fees going up this close to the elec- come.”
tion, we innocently mused? After calling TAMS
RSVP to Hilary on 0418 255416 or email
we were passed rather strangely to the Justice hilary@hwp.com.au
and Community Safety Directorate. The
sweet communications officer wouldn’t take
a question over the phone and insisted on
our sending an email. We did. And someone
FORMER member for
we’d never spoken to called Danielle Krajina, Eden-Monaro Gary
wrote back, straight faced that the stickers
Nairn has been out of the
were “wrongly placed” on the machines
spotlight for a while, but
and then proffered Parking Operations’
he’s making headlines
apologies “to the Canberra community for any again after scoring a big
inconvenience”. That would be the inconven- gig in the new NT Country
ience of having more money in our pocket, we Liberal Party Governsuppose. And a prediction: The stickers will be ment.
back around, oh, Monday, October 22.
The “NT News”
complains that incoming Chief Minister
Terry Mills broke an election promise by not
advertising Nairn’s new job.
WITH the promise of “recycling at its most
“Former CLP president and qualified
fashionable”, the ACT Women’s Legal Centre surveyor Gary Nairn, who left the Territory 20

years ago and became a Liberal Party federal
politician, will be head of the new Planning
Commission,” the paper reports.
Nairn, who was an MP for 11 years in the
Howard Government, had previously lived in
the NT where he was CLP president between
1990 and 1994.

Silly suburbs
CLEARLY the grind of the backbench is
getting to him. The Federal member for
Fraser, Andrew Leigh, is seeking to put
some “celebrity” into Canberra’s approaching centenary and has encouraged locals
to come up with the “silliest suggestions of
celebrities after whom your suburb could
have been named” on his blog.
Suggestions so far include Hughes after
cricketer Merv Hughes, Pearce after Guy
Pearce, and Russell after Russell Crowe. And
there’s bonus points for the first and last
name – props to those who suggested Harrison Forde, adult film actress Paige Turner,
and ANU economist Bruce Chapman.

Parking mystery

Gary’s making plans

Bring out your bags

Dogs are barking
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door
So goes the old “Proclaimers” hit “I’m Gonna
Be (500 Miles)”, something of an anthem for
door-knocking politicians everywhere – and
they are everywhere at the moment. But
from Silas Brown’s privacy-invading shot of
Liberal MLA Alistair Coe’s resting shoe,
four years walking the front garden paths of
Ginninderra are clearly taking their toll on
his dogs.

arts & entertainment
Fun’s the lesson in
this school for wives
“SHAKESPEARE can be so
wonderful, but this is something
you can have a giggle at,” actress
Harriet Dyer tells me.

Helen Musa

a lot of fun. She gets to play the innocent
heroine, Agnes, in a play that pokes fun at
arts editor
traditional male attitudes to marriage and has
audiences feeling “a lot of empathy” for her
character as she battles the intentions of her
She’s talking about the coming Bell ShakeFrance’s answer to Shakespeare, Moliere, and
would-be older husband, Arnolde.
speare production “The School for Wives”.
one of the company’s occasional forays into
It’s a tightly-written work in a 24-hour
No, you haven’t missed an important work
other classical traditions.
time frame and, she says, the production by
from the Shakespearean canon. This one is by
If Dyer’s account is anything to go by, it’s
Lee Lewis is very physical, the servants “roll
around” a lot and there’s a dance at the end,
a change from tragedies “where the stage is
littered with people bleeding to death”.
Only 14 months out of the Actors’ Centre in
Sydney, Dyer has “done all right”, with roles in
“Pygmalion” for Sydney Theatre Company and
in “Time Stands Still” for Darlinghurst Theatre.
This is her first role with Bell and she’s
finding the language “kind-of, quite easy”.
The Aussie translation by Justin Fleming
may be in rhyming couplets, but “the language
itself is very modern and so not as complex as
Shakespeare,” she says.
And hers is a plum role. Moliere married a
very young woman so, in his plays, “marriage
was fair game”, which is why the play feels very
contemporary.
And there’s a happy ending for Agnes.
“My character comes out on top, showing
that good things happen to good people,”
she says.
The fun thing about the optimistic ending,
she says, is that you can see it right from the
start, a lot like “Romeo and Juliet”.
So is Agnes as simple as everybody makes
out? Not a bit, Dyers says. “It’s true she starts
off not knowing where babies come from,
so I’ve been very careful not to make her too
dumb.
“She’s called simple a lot by Arnolde,
because he just doesn’t understand how
complex she is… she’s simple in the sense that
her mind is not clouded, yet she has a strong
sense of curiosity.
“If I’m having a bad day as Harriet, it’s a real
pleasure to be on stage as Agnes and forget all
about that.”
“School for Wives”, The Playhouse, September
25-October 6. Bookings to 6275 2700 or canberHarriet Dyer with John Adam in “The School for Wives”.
Photo by Brett Boardman ratheatrecentre.com.au

Wendy Johnson
The Royal treatment
Singer Robert Shearer in
the title role of “Albert
Herring” at The Street.
Photo by Lorna Sim

Raising voices for
‘Albert Herring’
September it may be, but it’s the merry month of May at The
Street Theatre as Benjamin Britten’s happiest opera, “Albert
Herring”, prepares to hit the stage, writes HELEN MUSA
TO conductor Rick Prakhoff and vocal director Alan Hicks, Benjamin Britten’s
happiest opera, “Albert Herring”, is just about the perfect opera for a bunch of
serious opera students.
It’s also a pretty effective antidote to unfortunate goings-on at the School of
Music.
An ensemble piece, as Prakhoff explains to “CityNews”, it gives the students
ample opportunity to work simultaneously with the conductor director – The
Street’s Caroline Stacey – and the 13-piece chamber orchestra, led by Barbara
Jane Gilby.
Prakhoff is here for the whole month of September, so the usual process
of first rehearsing the parts with a repetiteur, and then doing the music, then
introducing the director, coalesces to create an experience often missing from
large-scale productions.
It’s also double cast, to give the students a chance at the good roles, and
that, as Hicks says, “expands the rehearsal process proper, but consolidates it”.
Best of all, it’s a heart-warming story and riotously funny. Set in an English
village, the bumbling grocery clerk Albert is crowned king of the May because
there aren’t enough virgins around to be Queen. He lashes out for a night and
learns to become his own man, telling his fearsome mother “that’s enough”,
just as Britten longed to do with his own formidable mum.
I’ll bet readers know an Albert Herring – I know I do.
Prakhoff is pleased to be back in Canberra collaborating with Stacey as he
did with the thrilling contemporary opera, “Jane Eyre”. He’s as sure as I am that
Canberrans will recognise some of the characters, as Britten pokes fun at the
pompous burgers of any tight-knit community anywhere. It could even be
Queanbeyan.
Stacey suggested the opera to Hicks as a good choice for students, since
there are roles to share around to help “plant the seeds” for future performance
careers.
And though as Prakhoff puts it, “Britten is such a brilliant orchestrator”, his
music is also deceptively complicated, another justification for doing the opera
with advanced students.
“He’s just a genius,” Prakhoff enthuses.
And on that point, we all agree.
“Albert Herring,” The Street Theatre, 7.30pm, September 28-30 and 2pm, September 30, bookings to 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au

Comedy with a serious side
THOUGH billed as a comedy, this play by Neil Simon has
all the earmarks of a more serious drama. Under the
strong hand of Punch McGregor, the cast members take
control of the plum roles – two sons, two daughters
and two grandsons of a dominating German Jewish
immigrant grandma, teetering on the brink of tragedy
while making us laugh.
Set in and around a candy store in Yonkers, New
York, the play sees the 13 and 15-year-old boys Arty
(Pippin Carroll) and Jay (Lachlan Ruffy) more trapped
than lost in Yonkers when their father (Colin Milner) is
forced to go interstate to earn money and leave them
with grandma. These three convince us with their
warmth.
The eccentric cameo roles of gangster Uncle Louie
and nervous Aunt Gertie are beautifully played by Paul
Jackson and Elaine Noon, who could well have stolen
the limelight were it not for stunning performances by

theatre

“Lost in Yonkers”
Canberra Repertory
Directed by Angela Punch McGregor
At Theatre 3, Acton, until September 29.
Reviewed by Helen Musa
Bridgette Black as the childlike Aunt Bella and Helen
Vaughan-Roberts as the formidable Grandma Kurnitz.
The scene where mother and daughter face
uncomfortable truths is truly moving. Handled without
mawkishness, we catch a glimpse beneath the iron
surface of grandma, yet Vaughan-Roberts remains
steely and unsentimental.
The production is notable for its restraint and taste,
acted out on a beautiful set by Andrew Kay and backed
by a period soundscape devised by Jonathan Pearson.
Strongly recommended.

CityNews September 20-27 23

arts & entertainment / reviews

Zoo crew joins the circus
Dougal Macdonald

golly, its emotional energy is profound and its
visual statements are compelling. The ice floes
have carried down the bodies of aurochs and
they have found the Bathtub area congenial. But
these prehistoric ancestors of modern cattle (the
last was sighted in 1627) have reincarnated as
giant pigs and their influence on the story is an
unexpected delight.
In a convincing, powerful and heartwarming
performance, Quvenzhané Wallis, as Hushpuppy,
carries a cinematic tour de force to impressive
heights.
At Dendy

cinema

“Madagascar 3 – Europe’s Most
Wanted” (PG)
A RED-HAIRED French lady cop, big of bosom and
buttock, wants to bag Alex the lion for her trophy
room.
In Paris, Alex, together with Melman the
giraffe, Gloria the hippo and Marty the zebra, a
team of techno-savvy penguins and a troupe of
performing monkeys are desperate to get home
to the security of the New York Zoo.
They find themselves in a railway marshalling
yard beside a circus train. And hop on board, to
the delight of a seal, a cheetah and a bear.
The chase plot unfolds in loosely-linked
episodes offering comic and dramatic diversions,
with the circus just a couple of jumps ahead
of the cop as it crosses Europe in search of an
impresario who will sign it up for a tour in the US.
The animation is a credit to a big team in
India that delivers a quality product while saving
Dreamworks a large pot of money. Writer/director
Eric Darnell brings the various elements together
in a film for kids to enjoy. And who’s to say how
old you need to be to stop being a kid.
At all cinemas

“Beasts of the Southern Wild” (M)
RISING sea levels have led to the building of

“The Watch” (MA)

levees protecting the land from the waters
beyond called the Bathtub, where the inhabitants are poor, socially outcast, unhealthy, little
educated and materially deprived.
Since her mother’s death, seven-year-old
Hushpuppy lives with her father Wink on a
floating shack built on the tray cut from a pick-up
truck. Wink, dying from a terminal condition, is
raising her to survive in a world where she must
rely on her own resources.
There’s not much joy, pleasure or humour
reflecting off the screen from writer/director
Benh Zeitlin’s courageous feature debut. But, by

THIS is a movie for people who tolerate, even
enjoy, plots with low-range credibility, delivered
with unrestrained profanity, vulgarity and
stupidity.
In Glenview Iowa, after the violent death of
the nightwatchman, Costco manager Evan (Ben
Stiller) calls for volunteers to form a neighbourhood watch group to catch the killer.
Bob (Vince Vaughn), Franklin (Jonah Hill) and
Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade) are the only takers.
Each has his reason, not really connected to
neighbourhood-watch principles.
The film is written by a trio including Seth
Rogen, whose place in the pantheon of the stupid
American comedy genre is front and centre.
The denouement, in the truest tradition of
problem solving, involves a lot of gunfire and a
big explosion. Been there, done that. Yawn.
At all cinemas, except Greater Union

Regina wins national operatic final
By Ian McLean
SYDNEY Conservatorium of Music graduate Regina Daniel, who had charmed the audience with
aria’s from “The Rake’s Progress” by Stravinsky
and Rossini’s “L’occasione fa il Ladro”, has won
the $15,000 first prize in the Australian National
Eisteddfod’s 2012 National Operatic Aria.
From an initial field of 21 talented entrants,
six were chosen to contest the final before an
appreciative and enthusiastic audience of opera

lovers at Albert Hall.
Contestants each sang two contrasting arias
before adjudicators Adele Nisbet and Margaret
Sim retired to deliberate over the obviously
outstanding merits of the six.
The National Aria has run continuously in
Canberra since 1955 and has afforded many fine
young opera performers the opportunity to train
with the finest tutors in the world and sing with
the greatest international opera companies.

Trek’s birthday treat
A DELIGHTFUL program and a
birthday cake were the treats in a
double anniversary celebration – 25
years for Guitar Trek and 10 years
for the Wesley Music Centre.
Guitar Trek’s foundation member
Timothy Kain, along with fellow Trekkers Minh Le Hoang, Bradley Kunda
and Matthew Withers, played music
crossing a couple of centuries and a
few cultures. Australian composers
dominated with Phillip Houghton’s
“News from Nowhere”, Nigel
Westlake’s “Six Fish” and Graeme
Koehne’s “To His Servant Bach”.
The quartet was in perfect

24 CityNews September 20-27

music

Guitar Trek – 25th Anniversary
Wesley Music Centre
Reviewed by Clinton White
balance with all players giving each
other the space needed for leads
or emphasis. Most striking was
the expression they achieved both
individually and collectively. Drama
and bliss, funny and sad, wistful
and forceful – they played them all.
They were surprised by the
reception the audience gave their
performance. They shouldn’t be.
They were well-deserving of it.

Aria
winner
Regina
Daniel.

A moving meditation
HOW do you create a score
inspired by a place where the
silence is overwhelming?
Whatever the challenges,
composer David Page has come up
with a truly beautiful and sensual
soundtrack for Bangarra’s “Terrain”.
Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) was
the inspiration for Frances Ring’s
choreography, Page’s composition,
Stephen Page’s direction, Jacob
Nash’s set design, Karen Norris’s
lighting and Jennifer Irwin’s
costumes. What a brilliant job they
have done.
This stunning creation is like
watching a moving meditation,
where the music and stage design
entice the dancers to make their
way through the landscape.
“Terrain” is quite different from
Bangarra’s other recent offerings –
the dancing is softer, gentler, while
still clearly rooted in indigenous influence, it’s more subtly integrated
into the contemporary style.

dance

“Terrain”
Bangarra Dance Theatre
At Canberra Theatre. Season
closed.
Reviewed by Samara Purnell
Nine beautiful transitions make
up “Terrain”, from a calling heard
in suburbia to return to the land;
of reclaiming land to rebirth and
the many cycles of the Lake – arid,
fullness, salt, to the scars inflicted
on the land by man.
Although not perfectly executed
throughout, the female dancing
appeared developed from previous
shows. Dancers move across the
stage, often locked together like
creatures traversing the lake and
surrounds, seeming to skate across
saltbeds.
Deborah Brown was captivating,
as always, in “Reflect”, before being
joined by the ensemble for the
colourful “Deluge” – the finale for a
show that was over too soon.

Dymocks Canberra Centre / advertising feature
‘No matter what the season, the budget or the company, good food is the right of us all.’

Annabel’s search for simple pleasures
Leading NZ celebrity cook, TV star and food writer Annabel Langbein, will be in Canberra
on September 26 to share some of the simple pleasures of ‘free-range’ cooking
ANNABEL Langbein, the free range cook,
grows much of her family’s fresh produce
in extensive organic vegetable gardens at
her Auckland home and rustic cabin on the
shores of scenic Lake Wanaka.
She is a member of the Sustainability
Council of NZ and a passionate advocate for
using seasonal ingredients as a means to
cooking and eating well.
Her runaway best seller in NZ and
Australia, the 2010 book “The Free Range
Cook”, was recently named Best TV
Cookbook at the 2012 Gourmand World
Cookbook Awards and earlier this year
she returned from her cabin with a new
batch of recipes based on her use of fresh
natural ingredients prepared in a no-fuss
way. These recipes make up her new book,
“Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook:
Simple Pleasures”.
Readers are invited to share a drink and
canapé with Annabel and preview her
new book at “An evening with Annabel
Langbein, the free range cook” at the
National Press Club, Barton, Wednesday,
September 26, 6pm-8pm. The event is
hosted by Dymocks Canberra Centre and
the NZ High Commission.
“Like many New Zealanders, my roots are
deeply tethered in the earth in a satisfying
cycle of growing, harvesting, cooking and
sharing around the table,” she says.
“My father, Fred, who worked in a downtown city office, would come home each
night to tend his vegetable garden and his
bees. His washed and trimmed vegetable
offerings would arrive at the back door,
ready for the creation of a delicious dinner.
“My mother Anne was a natural cook
and a home science university graduate.
Her well-honed cooking skills and astute

relationship with Cyril, the butcher,
coupled with father’s prodigious garden
efforts, provided us with a nutritious and
interesting diet.
“Coming out of World War II, my parents
were thrifty and resourceful. Nothing was
wasted, but ours was no dour, meanspirited household.
“Each evening my mother took the
trouble to set the table with candles and
a pretty posy from the garden, and we
gathered to discuss the day’s happenings.
“Entering my teens in the 1970s as a fully
fledged hippy and feminist, I railed against
domesticity, consumerism and the urban
world in general, leaving school and home
when I was just 16.
“My mother took me to Europe, no
doubt in the hope of convincing me that
the real world had merit, but on my return
I promptly moved up the Whanganui River
with some friends to an alternative lifestyle
growing vegetables, cooking over a fire and
living off the land.”
For several years Annabel hunted and
fished for much of her own food; caught
eels, ran trap lines and jumped out of
helicopters for live-deer recovery as a
means of making a living. “What I caught
I cooked, experimenting endlessly in a
learning process that drew where it could
from what I had seen in my mother’s
kitchen,” she says.
“For the most part, my learning was
unfettered by tradition or the rules of any
particular school. Some things worked,
others failed. I never formally learned to
cook (aside from a couple of residential
courses at the Culinary Institute of America
in upstate New York later in my career),
choosing instead to study horticulture at

Lincoln University in NZ.
“Understanding how plants grow is
incredibly useful when it comes to cooking.
“They say you go back to your roots
as you age. In the recall of those simple
childhood traditions we find ways to enjoy
our own lives and families.
“Eating homegrown, home-cooked food
is part of the way we live as a family today.
It connects us, even if only in a small way, to
the rhythms of nature. Wandering around
my garden at the end of a busy day to find
something to serve for our evening meal
is incredibly satisfying. So, too, is the daily
ritual of setting the table, lighting some
candles and sitting down together to enjoy
simple, freshly cooked food.
“Working professionally in the kitchen
for the past 20 years has also taught me
that along with good-quality ingredients,
confidence is the key to cooking success. All
my recipes are thoroughly and professionally tested in our kitchen to ensure you get
stress-free, foolproof results.
“My aim is to be your guide. I want to
share my knowledge, skills and experience
so that your cooking can be more rewarding and fun.
“The language of food is universal – we
can all share and take pleasure in it. No
matter what the season, the budget or the
company, good food is the right of us all.”
More information about Annabel is at
annabel-langbein.com
“An evening with Annabel Langbein,
the free range cook” at the National Press
Club, Barton, Wednesday, September 26,
6pm-8pm. Tickets, at $35, are available at
Dymocks Canberra Centre or call 6257 5057.

Annabel Langbein… “Eating homegrown, home-cooked food is part of the way we live
as a family today.”

CityNews September 20-27 25

floriade 2012

week 2

Fashion amid the flowers
By Libby Hill
THIS week the Floriade theme
is “Fashion and Design” and the
Canberra Centre injects a welcome
boost to the program of events. It’s
a local partnership that’s bringing
an air of elegance to the wholesome
family festival.
The stilt-walkers and baby animal
farm are not going anywhere, but
for those who would rather watch a
fashion parade than paint a garden
gnome, this is your week.
Five days of fashion, beauty
and lifestyle will take place from
September 25-29 with fashions
on show from leading Australian
designers Wayne Cooper, Jayson
Brunsdon and Leona Edmiston.
Stylists will be on hand to explain
key looks of the season and help
Models showcase Leona Edmiston’s latest range at Floriade.
you prepare your look for the
upcoming spring racing carnival.
There will also be samples of the showcasing a range of Australian
ping after all the inspiration, the
latest in hair and beauty products
and international fashion labels
Canberra Centre provides the City to
and industry professionals will be
available at Canberra Centre, includ- Floriade free shuttle service operaton hand to offer advice.
ing his own collection for Myer.
ing daily between 9am and 5pm in
Visit any time during the week
Shows at 10am, 1pm and 3pm.
45-minute rotations from the main
and there’s sure to be something
And on Saturday, September 29,
gates at Regatta Point, to three city
happening, but if you’re a true
designer Wayne Cooper hosts two
locations (Canberra Centre on Petrie
fashionista, there are two big days
Canberra Centre fashion parades,
Street, Mercure Canberra on Ainslie
not to be missed.
which will include his own “Wayne
Avenue and Sydney Building on
On Wednesday, September 26,
by Wayne Cooper” collection.
Northbourne Avenue).
designer Jayson Brunsdon hosts
Shows at 11am and 2pm.
More information at floriadeausfashion events with three parades
And to encourage a spot of shop- tralia.com

Getting the Royal treatment
(also owners of two Goulburn pubs) invested
millions to create a pub/dining area many would
dining
no longer recognise. It’s more contemporary
than I expected, but an attractive, inviting space
indeed.
SHE’S a glam old gal and, after
You must – absolutely must – visit the outdoor
months of blood, sweat and tears, has area, originally the old kitchen, pump house and
unveiled her $3.4 million makeover.
boiler house, with a grand, open fireplace as a
centrepiece and many original features lovingly
Queanbeyan’s Royal Hotel, on the
retained including a laundry tub and original
main drag, has proudly announced
brick.
she is “re-established 2012” and ready
Inside are several comfy seating “zones”, some
to serve fine drink and food for many with funky geometric-patterned pillows scattered about. The bar seems like it’s a kilometre
a year to come.
long and, at the end, hangs a vintage photo of
Originally open in 1926, “The Royal” was
the Lord Mayor of Sydney and the original pub
showing its age when the Pub Funds Group
owner, Mr Richardson, and his son. The “pokie
area” has been tucked away so it’s not a bother.
On the menu are many dishes you’d expect of
a pub, but the execution and presentation has
been ramped up. The French onion soup was
made with proper stock and served with chewy
bread and melted cheese. My freshly made
Tagliatelle packed a punch. The slow-roasted
tomato and basil sauve was intense in colour and
flavour and married well with spicy chorizo, juicy
tiger prawns, salty olives and creamy roasted
garlic ($17.50).
Several of our group of 18 had the tender
rib-eye steak ($32), all cooked exactly as ordered
(bar one). The Greek salad tossed with thick slices
of bocconcini, semi-dried tomato, olives and
more was dressed appropriately with a sweet
balsamic vinaigrette – meal-size and so easy to
share ($16.50). The Ranch burger was yummy,
although not the best pub burger, one friend
reported ($13.50). However, its sourdough bun
got the big tick.
You order at the bar at the Royal and then get
buzzed when your food is ready. The process
is smooth and efficient. I plead with the hotel
(indeed, all eating establishments) to stop
wrapping cutlery tight in damp serviettes, which
Rib-eye steak.
Photos by Silas Brown end up hard to unravel.

Wendy Johnson

WIN TICKETS TO SEE ELTON JOHN
at citynews.com.au

“You must – absolutely must – visit the
outdoor area”.
The Royal’s wine list is decent, although I’d like
more offerings by the glass. Lots of good drops
from across Australia and NZ, but a nice touch
would be to offer another label or two from this
region.
Upstairs are 14 well-appointed, renovated
rooms, most with ensuites (if you have too many,
just stay over!). A function room on the main floor
is perfect for larger gatherings and a conference
room is being finished upstairs, complete with
lovely, stained-glass windows.
Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan, 85 Monaro Street,
Queanbeyan. Call 6297 1444. Open seven days.

A fun time with the zombies
Helen Musa
arts in the city

“THE Dracula Rock Show” is a “funny, family
musical” that somehow mixes zombies, Count
Dracula, Inspector Shirley Holmes, Dr Watson, the
evil Prof Moriarty and his servant Quasimodo. It’s
suitable for all ages, says director Nina Stevenson.
At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, October 6-12.
Bookings to 6293 1443.
THE “Tap into Water Everyday Youth Dance
Festival” celebrates its 27th year with 1100
students from no fewer than 33 high schools and
colleges across the ACT and the region interpreting this year’s theme, “Heroes and Messages”.
Bookings to 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
ROBYN Archer has just launched a new book
on Canberra by one of this region’s best-loved
photographers, Heidi Smith. The 220-page,
coffee table publication covers 1979-2012.
Husband of nearly 50 years, Brian, did the design,
text and general production. Available in all good
book stores.
THE Friends of the School of Music are planning a fabulous concert by staff and students,
with a line-up headed by flautist Virginia Taylor,
soprano Louise Page, clarinetist Tom Azoury,
guitarists Andrey Lebedev and Callum Henshaw,
28 CityNews September 20-27

Mary Poole and Rhys Hekimian in a scene from “The Dracula Rock Show”.
jazz saxophonist Miles O’Connell and percussionist Gary France. In the Larry Sitsky Room, 7pm,
Tuesday September 25.
“OVER The Rooftops”, the latest exhibition
at ANCA Gallery, Rosevear Place, Dickson,
showcases distinctive new paintings inspired by
Munich’s suburban skyline by lawyer-turnedartist Annabel Butler. Noon to 5pm, WednesdaySunday, until September 23.
CONGRATULATIONS to Canberra composer Jesmond Grixti, whose “Intimo for String
Orchestra” (2010) will have its world premiere by
Southern Cross Philharmonia on September 26, in
Melba Hall, University of Melbourne.
THE Combined Canberra Grammar Schools’
Wind Ensembles, under the guidance of Teresa

and Steve Rabe, will perform everything from
Fauré to Simon & Garfunkel in a Wednesday
Lunchtime Live Concert at Wesley Music Centre,
September 26, 12.40pm to 1.20pm. $2 or paper
note entry.
MUSIC for Everyone has classics, jazz and
popular songs being performed by local musical
groups Saxophonix and Sempre Strings at the
Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, 3pm,
September 23. Conductors are Andrew Lorenz
and Benn Sutcliffe.
THE ACT Writers Centre will host a useful
Tuesday chat, “Publish or Bust: How to find your
way through the publishing maze”, with Sue
Halden-Brown, on September 25 from 1pm-2pm.
bookings to 6262 9191.

puzzles page
Joanne Madeline Moore

your week in the stars / September 24 - 30

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Many Aries (like Marlon Brando and Diana Ross) were pioneers in their
chosen fields. Sunday’s Full Moon (in your sign) sees rampaging Rams
at your proactive, dynamic best – and your pushy, demanding worst!
Plan plenty of physical activities so you can channel excess energy in
constructive ways. Otherwise you’ll just end up having partnership
problems and ego clashes.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

You’re not in the mood to mix and mingle, so keep a low profile – and pay
attention to your health. The Full Moon brings up secrets from the past.
Expect vivid memories to come flooding back, or the resurfacing of a
sensitive old issue. It’s also important to get the balance right in your daily life.
Perhaps some routines, activities, bad habits (and people) will have to go?

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

With Neptune and Mars in your employment zones, be creative rather than
confused at work. You’ll find calm cooperation will get you a lot further
than confrontation, so aim to be a genial Gemini. Choose your words wisely
on the weekend, when a fragile relationship with a child or teenager is
tested. And has a fair-weather friend passed their used-by date?

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Relationships will be complicated this week as passion is combined with
power plays, and romance is coupled with responsibility. Expect domestic
dramas, when the Full Moon triggers prima donna moments and petty
jealousies on the home front. Schedule sensitive discussions and difficult
tasks for another time, as you’ll have trouble keeping your emotions under
control.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

On the weekend, the Sun forms tricky aspects to Uranus and Pluto. If
you don’t dampen down your demanding diva side, then expect power
struggles at every turn. The Full Moon activates your adventure zone, so
your motto for the moment is from birthday great Christopher Reeve:
“Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool, or you go out in
the ocean.”

General knowledge crossword No. 378
1 By which name is a fully grown female
Across
horse known?

4 Name the Australian prime minister
1903-04, 1905-08 and 1909-10.
7 Which Queensland coastal river rises
north-west of Mossman?
8 What do we call a shunt inserted by
surgery?
9 Which peripheral nerve disease is
caused by a deficiency in vitamin B?
11 What is an artist’s studio also known
as?
13 Name a prosecution of a claim in a
court.
15 What is a form of pasta cut into flat
sheets?
17 To look down upon, as in contempt,
is to do what?
20 What describes that which relates to
valuable records?
23 That which resembles stars is called
what?
24 What is another term for homeless
wanderers?
25 Name the US most prolific inventor,
Thomas ...

Down
2 Near which pole do polar bears live?
1

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

With Saturn in your sign you’ve experienced a serious setback, but don’t
be deterred! Draw inspiration from writer F. Scott Fitzgerald (born on
September 24): “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” Sunday’s
Full Moon revs up your relationship zone. Single Librans – stop focusing on
past failures. Spruce up your keyboard skills because love is waiting online.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Friday’s fabulous for getting up-close-and-personal with someone special,
plus projects with children are also favoured. Get ready for Full Moon
energy to disrupt your carefully orchestrated routine. The more you try
to control others, the more woeful the weekend will be. Expect mood
swings and emotional outbursts – but also creative inspiration and spiritual
insights.

2

3

Solution next week
4

5

6

7
8
9

10
11

12

13

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Expect dramatic developments to do with lust or loot, as the full
moonbeams stimulate your sex/money zone. Some Virgos will become
entangled in a secret love affair. With Neptune in your romance zone, it will
be difficult to differentiate between a dream date and a smooth operator, so
tread carefully. A conservative financial approach is the sensible way to go.

2 What are heavy iron blocks used by
blacksmiths?
3 To be enjoying liberty is to be what?
4 Which entry is recorded on the left
side in accounting?
5 What is a sealed glass bulb used to
hold hypodermic solutions?
6 Name a less readily known term for
offspring or progeny.
9 What is a simple narrative poem?
10 To board a goods train illegally is to
jump the what?
12 What is another term meaning to
abrogate?
14 Which word is descriptive of an
electrician?
16 To which kingdom do human beings
belong?
18 To have been freed from anxiety or
care, is to have done what?
19 What is a fashionable business
establishment called?
21 To quote a passage, especially as an
authority, is to do what?
22 What is another word for a poker
stake?

14
17

18

15

16

19
20

21

22

23
24
25

Sudoku medium No.89

Solution next week

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

The Full Moon falls in your drama zone so expect a week full of extremes –
everything from passion and flamboyance to arguments and dummy-spits.
A troubled teenager or a feisty friend may try to push your buttons. Keep
your cool Sagittarius, and don’t give them the satisfaction of a response!
Group activities are favoured – as long as you are positive and practical.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

The Sun’s in your career zone, which boosts your ambitious streak. You’re
keen to get ahead but don’t trample over others on your climb to the top!
Aim to get the balance right between your personal and professional lives.
Conscientious Capricorns love things to run efficiently – but there’s manic Full
Moon energy about, so drop the strict schedule and take things as they come.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Aquarians can be controversial. With Venus in your relationship zone, strive to
be cooperative, and more tolerant of the conventional views of others. Your
newly discovered diplomatic skills will be tested this weekend, as the Full
Moon and Uranus stir up your communication zone – and it will be incredibly
easy to say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

The Full Moon stimulates your finance zone so it’s not a good time for Fish
to hit the shops and online stores, venture into the real estate market,
or buy or sell shares. You’re inclined to go on a ‘comfort spending spree’
where you buy things for purely emotional reasons. If you have recently
lent money to someone in need, don’t expect it back in a hurry.

Make the most of orchids
Revolution, when rows of squalid houses were
constructed in cities to house the workers
pouring into the cities.
There were certainly no gardens or outdoor
spaces. Howard’s vision came to fruition with his
Letchworth Garden City, commenced in 1905, the
first garden city in the world. Howard followed
this in 1921 with Welwyn Garden City, with
houses having gardens and adjoining parks with
lawns and planted with shade trees and flower
beds for community use.
Walter Burley Griffin was a keen supporter
of the garden city concept with his vision for
Canberra. The first suburbs of Forrest, Red Hill
and Griffith were based on this concept. As the
city rapidly expanded, this concept gradually
disappeared and today we are better known as
the City of Trees, but certainly not a garden city.

Cedric Bryant
gardening

ORCHIDS are looking splendorous at
present. Here are a few brief notes on
the care of two of the most popular
varieties.
Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchids are one of the
easiest to grow, with blooms lasting up to three
months. They like only indirect light with some
humidity. It is often said that a steamy bathroom
is ideal, but the bathroom is steamy only for short
periods and can be one of the coldest rooms in
the house.
Usually they are grown in shredded pine
bark and will need to be watered once a week.
Alternatively, if in sphagnum moss they will not
need watering so often. Do not place the pot in a
saucer full of water, encouraging root rot. If you
must have a saucer, fill it with pebbles and sit the
pot on top of the pebbles for good drainage. Do
not overfeed, however a weak solution of orchid
fertiliser every few weeks in warm water will keep
your orchid in peak condition.
Cymbidium orchids are the tough ones. They
can be brought indoors when in flower into a
well-lit, cool room. This will result in the flowers
lasting longer. The same rules apply as above
regarding watering, saucers and feeding.
During summer months they can be kept
outside in a shady area, raising the pot off the
ground for drainage. They are still one of the
most popular flowers for a present due to their

The splendour of Cymbidium Orchid,
“Tiger Eye”.
hardiness and long flowering period.
For more detailed information, you might like
to learn from the experts at the Canberra Orchid
Society’s spring show at St. John’s Church Hall,
Constitution Avenue, Reid from 11am-5pm on
Saturday, September 22 and noon-4.30pm on
the Sunday.
THE garden city concept was the vision of
Englishman Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928) who
saw the miserable consequence of the Industrial

As a garden designer, I see huge blocks of units
being built in Canberra, most with little or no
grassy areas for children to play under shady
trees or even room for an outdoor clothes line.
Many resemble the dismal tower blocks constructed in Britain and Europe immediately after
World War II. So it was encouraging for me to see
the new Lend Lease development at Springbank
Rise, Casey. I am sure Ebenezer Howard would
have endorsed this development with its wide,
open spaces and areas resembling the traditional
village green.
To assist residents or potential residents with
advice for their gardens, I will be conducting free
workshops there at 11am and 1pm on Saturday,
September 22. All are welcome to Springbank
Rise, Yeend Avenue, Casey.

This week...
• I could not resist this photo
looking inside the flower
of Magnolia soulangiana,
“Felix”. Now is the time to
select magnolias while in
flower.
• When picking lemons, cut
them at the stalk, do not
pull them off the tree. The
opposite with rhubarb, pull
stems away from the crown,
do not cut them.
• Plant all berry plants and
deciduous fruit trees now.
• With smaller blocks and
gardens, I have prepared a
new Cedfacts Sheet “Small
Trees for Small Gardens”.
Go to cedricbryant.com and
scroll down to “Cedfacts”.

30 CityNews September 20-27

The flower centre of Magnolia
soulangiana, “Felix”.

home
Beat the heat
This compact benchtop Breville
water filter delivers crisp,
filtered drinking water on
tap with a choice of different
temperatures – from room
temperature to cool and
refreshing. Saving on bottled
water and fridge space, the
water filter can chill water in
around an hour.

Gadgets
to go for
KATHRYN VUKOVLJAK showcases the latest and
greatest in gadgets and bakeware that lasts.

Soup in a flash

New-look enamel
Enamel bakeware has made a comeback, and with very good reason!
Enamel Bake is the new kitchen collection from Wiltshire – ideal for
baking pies, puddings, casseroles, stews, lasagne or moist, succulent
roasts. With its smooth, glossy finish, this traditional-styled enamel
bakeware distributes heat efficiently and is easy to clean.

The range includes three oblong pie dishes (from $4.95 for a small), two baking
dishes (from $12.95 for a medium) and an oval roaster with lid (30cm, $29.95).
Available from David Jones and independent homewares stores.

Soup is a great way to get a
big hit of veggies. The Tefal
Soup & Co soup maker can
help you create healthy
homemade soups in just 25
minutes. Place your choice
of fresh vegetables and
soup base into the 2.8-litre
stainless steel jug, press the
button and that’s it!
In the summer, use it
to create dips, sauces,
smoothies and cocktails.

Available through department
stores, electrical retailers and
specialist independents for
$299.95.

Healthy juicer
A juicer that’s affordable
and requires no power,
the Lurch Cold Press
juice extractor juices
fruits, vegetables and
grasses, while retaining
more nutrients than
any electrical juicer.
It produces pure juice
without any of the pith or
fibre that can make the
juice taste bitter.

Available from leading
kitchenware retailers at
$69.95. Contact 1800 650 601
for local stockists.

Canberra CityNews September 20

HE went from an inspector in the police to a captain in the Salvation Army: in this edition Dale Murray tells LAURA EDWARDS of his compassionate journey from cuffing hands to holding them. Elsewhere, MICHAEL MOORE explains why the ACT election result will turn on preferences, ROBERT MACKLIN hails the crusade to raise the standard and status of teachers and TIM GAVEL growls at the fans who were so quick to turn on the Raiders.